A merit to acquire, were wont to kiss the book, To bow with reverence deep, humility in look. That folk in all the troubles we’ve related now Were safe; nor bloodshed, nor foul faction did them know. Secured were they from scrolls, sword, captains, and Vazīr, In name of Ahmed Mustafà they’d trust, not fear. Descendants, numerous in race, they left behind; Their faith in Ahmed they a tower of strength did find. But other Christian folks to him refused to bow. The blessed name of Mustafà they deemed too low. 425 Requital brought them punishment for this offence; A prey they fell unmourned to that Vazīr’s pretence. Their false creed, with their tribes, was quickly brought to end, Through those twelve lying volumes his deceit had penn’d. The name of Ahmed, thus, a friend is proved, of might; Of light by day a pillar, shelt’ring cloud by night. A castle inexpugnable, a stronghold safe, As he himself was Trusty,[120] though his foes might chafe. How fatal the disasters pictured here above, The fruit of foul duplicity’s pretended love. 430 IV. Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians. A second Jewish king, descendant of the first, To persecute the Christians showed hate’s fiercest thirst. If information’s sought about this wicked king, That chapter of the Qur’ān read: “Heaven’s Girdle-Ring.”[121] A sorry rite it was the first had introduced; With cruel zeal this wicked rite the last abused. The introducer of a rule that tends to ill, Draws on his head deep curses, morn and even, still. The good decease; their bright example serves as guide; The wicked soon decay; their name all men deride. 5 The children of those sinners, till the trump of doom, Are cursed as soon as born; no lot more full of gloom. How many springs burst forth, one salt, the other sweet; Their savour changes, while the days and nights compete. The good are promised their inheritance aloft, Of waters sweet;[122] in Scripture mentioned oft and oft.[123] The seeker’s wish, if rightly we consider it, A scintillation is of flame from holy writ. No flame exists apart from body whence it burns; Where’er the burning body hies, the flame, too, turns. 10 A window-light will wander all around a room; Because the rising sun to sunset tends, and gloom. That which to any constellation’s stars pertains, Must move with it, rise, set, south, as its place ordains. The man who under Venus’ influence was born Is joyous, amorous, ambitious, with greed torn. If Mars his planet be, his temper’s bellicose; War, scandal, litigation,--these he most does choose.